Showing 12 results for Safa
Ali Khavanin, Ramezan Mirzaee, Maryam Safari, Ardalan Soleimanian,
Volume 5, Issue 2 (13 2012)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: city bus drivers, during driving, are always exposed to the whole body
vibration. This can lead to central- neural, musculoskeletal, and blood
circulation disorders and develop occupational diseases due to vibration. The
objective of this descriptive- analytic study is to investigate Tehran bus drivers&apos
exposure to the whole body vibration.
Materials and Methods: We measured parameters related to the whole body vibration, such as
acceleration of the frequency weighted root sum of squares, the overall
equivalent acceleration, vibration dose value, and crest factor were measured
separately at three directions (X, Y, Z) in 80 buses in 5 different types,
which were selected randomly. The results obtained were compared with ISO 2631:
1997 Standard, and finally permitted driving time was calculated for different
buses.
Results: Acceleration
of the frequency weighted root mean of squares at X, Y axes in all of the buses
was below the district of health warning and at Z axis, it was in the district
of health warning, while the overall equivalent acceleration in Icarus buses
was above the district of health warning and in other buses it was in the
district of health warning according to standard ISO 2631: 1997. Vibration dose
value (VDV) was less than 8.5 and crest factor was less than 9 and in all of
the buses, it was less than the suggested permitted limits of ISO 2631: 1997 standard.
Moreover, permitted driving time was estimated less than 8 hours per day and
Icarus buses had the most and Man buses had the least vibration acceleration,
crest factor, and vibration dose value respectively.
Conclusion: According
to the results obtained, there is the possibility of developing potential
health risks in bus drivers therefore, it is recommended that the health and
safe managers consider decrease of working hours and increase of rest time
while purchasing new buses.
Mohammad Reza Mehrasbi, Sorur Safa, Amir Hossein Mahvi, Ali Assadi, Hamed Mohammadi,
Volume 5, Issue 3 (21 2012)
Abstract
Backgrounds and Objectives: The base structure of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH)
is made of hydrogen and carbon. Widespread use, improper disposal and
accidental spills of this compounds lead to long term remaining of
contaminations such as organic solvents and poly aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
in the soil and groundwater resources, resulting in critical environmental
issues. In this study, an oil-contaminated soil was washed using Tween 80
surfactant and the application of photo-Fenton process (UV/Fe2+/H2O2)
for treatment of the produced wastewater was evaluated.
Materials and Methods: Tween 80 is a yellow liquid with high viscosity and soluble in water. In order
to determine of the photo-Fenton process efficiency, we studied effective
variables including Fe concentration, pH, H2O2 concentration, and irradiation time. The UV irradiation source was a
medium-pressure mercury vapor lamp (400 w) vertically immersed in the solution
within 2L volume glass cylindrical reactor.
Results: The results
showed that efficiency of COD removal depends on the initial Fe concentration, pH,
H2O2 concentration and irradiation time.
Under optimum conditions, (Fe: 0.1mM, H2O2:
0.43 mM, pH: 3 and UV light irradiation time: 2 hours) the removal efficiency
of COD was 67.3%. pH plays a crucial role in the photo-Fenton process such that
the removal efficiency increased with decreasing of pH.
Conclusion: According
to the results of this study, under acidic condition, this process is an
efficient method for COD removal from the wastewater studied.
Hossein Banejad, Atieh Zarei, Ali Akbar Safari Sinegani, Farshad Dashti,
Volume 7, Issue 2 (10-2014)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Reuse of treated wastewater in agriculture is becoming more attractive due to the growing demand for water, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions like Iran.In some areas, industrial wastewaters distribute arsenic in the water and vegetables, among the other plants, are mainly irrigated by municipal and industrial wastewater. This study aimed to evaluate the outcome of radish irrigation using water contaminated with arsenic and zinc and to measure the zinc concentration in the edible parts of radish plant. Materials and Methods: The experiments were designed in the form of a factorial completely randomized design with three replications in which radishes were planted in pots about five kilograms. Arsenic concentration at four levels (0, 100,300 and 600 µg/l) and zinc concentration at three levels (0, 10, and 50 mg/l) were added to the irrigation water. The pots were equally irrigated once every 3 to 4 days. After harvesting and laboratory operations, zinc concentration was measured using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Results: The study indicated that zinc concentration in radish tubers is correlated with the concentration of zinc in water. The results of the analysis of variance table for the effect of zinc and arsenic-contaminated irrigation water on zinc concentration in radish roots, tubers and leafs show only one treatment (zinc concentration in water) on the property is significant at 5 and 1%. The results of the comparison table revealed that Zn uptake was decreased with increasing arsenic up to 300 µg/l. Conclusion: It was found that zinc concentration in radish roots, tubers, and leafs is correlated with the concentration of zinc in water. Moreover, there was a competition between the absorption of zinc and arsenic in plants. With increasing arsenic in irrigation water, transition of Zn was reduced to aerial part.
M Safari, S Ahmady-Asbchin, N Soltani,
Volume 7, Issue 3 (5-2014)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Petroleum hydrocarbons are a bunch of pollutants hazardous to the environment. Nowadays, biodegradation of petroleum contaminants is considered as one of the most efficient and most cost effective methods of removing oil contamination from the environment. The main objective of this study is to investigate the potential of cyanobacterium Schizothrix vaginata ISC108 in the biodegradation of crude oil and to evaluate oil effects on growth rates, dry weight, and chlorophyll content. Material and Methods: In this experimental study, the cyanobacterium Schizothrix vaginata ISC108 was obtained from the algal culture collection of Research Institute of Applied Science, ACECR, Tehran, Iran. First, purification of the cyanobacterium was performed using agar plate method on solid medium of BG11. Growth rate, chlorophyll content and dry weight of cyanobacteriaum was measured using spectrophotometry method. The biodegradation rate of crude oil was calculated using gas chromatography (GC) analysis. Results: Measuring the growth rate of cyanobacterium Schizothrix vaginata at 1% treatment of crude oil and control samples showed that the growth of cyanobacterium in the presence of crude oil as the sole carbon source increases at the same rate as the control sample. Moreover, it was found that increasing the concentration of crude oil will result in increasing dry weight of Schizothrix vaginata however, and the chlorophyll content reduced in various crude oil treatments. The average biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbon after 14 and 28 days of treatment was 54.78 and 93.98% respectively. Conclusions: It was found that cyanobacterium Schizothrix vaginata ISC108 has great potential in biodegradation of crude oil. Therefore, since oil is a product toxic to biological systems and is one of the main pollutants of bioecosystem, it has a great potential to be used as an indicator to eliminate pollution in contaminated areas.
A. Azimi, A. Safahieh, A. Dadollahi Sohrab, H. Zolgharnein, A. Savari, B. Saffar,
Volume 7, Issue 3 (5-2014)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Present study aimed to investigate response of metallothionein (MT) in oyster Crassostrea sp. to the experimental concentrations of Hg and Cd in order to assess the possibility of MT usage as a biomarker of Hg and Cd contamination in this mollusk. Materials and Methods: Oysters were collected from docks of Imam Khomeini Port. After seven days acclimation period in laboratory, they were exposed with Hg at concentrations of 15 and 75 µg.L-1 and Cd at concentrations of 15 and 150 µg.L-1 for 14 days. MT levels were measured through spectrophotometric method after extraction and precipitation. After preparation and acid digestion, the concentration of heavy metals was quantified by atomic absorption. Results: The amounts of MT in oysters exposed with Hg and Cd were significantly increased compared with control samples (P<0.05). The highest value of MT biosynthesis in oysters exposed with concentrations of Hg and Cd were 137.2±7.6 and 312.4±17.9 µg.g-1 w.w respectively. Exposing the oysters with Cd induced biosynthesis of MT more than three times compared with control samples. Among Hg and Cd, there was only significant correlation between biosynthesis of MT and Cd bioaccumulation in oysters (P<0.01). Conclusion: MT protein in oyster Crassostrea sp. can be considered as a suitable biomarker of Cd contamination in body and environment. Hence, it could be used for assessing and monitoring ecosystems.
M Hoseini, Gh.h Safari, H Kamani, J Jaafari, A.h Mahvi,
Volume 8, Issue 2 (8-2015)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Among the different types of antibiotics, tetracycline antibiotics are the second most common group around the world that their entrance into domestic sewage can result in contamination of water sources. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of the nano-sonocatalytic process on removal of tetracycline antibiotics from aqueous solutions. Materials and Methods: In this study, the effectiveness of ultrasonic irradiation without and with TiO2 nanoparticles and hydrogen peroxide were studied in tetracycline antibiotics removal. For this purpose, a reactor different concentrations of tetracycline was exposed to two irradiation frequencies of 35 and 130 KHz. Concentration of residual antibiotic was measured using HPLC equipped with a C18 reverse phase column and a UV detector. Results: It was found that the efficacy of ultrasonic irradiation alone in removal of this pollutant was negligible and at the best conditions only 20.3% removal was achieved at the frequency of 35 KHz. Addition of TiO2 nanoparticles improved the removal efficiency the removal rate increased with the increase in TiO2 concentration until 250 mg/L, after which it remained approximately stable. The best removal efficiency was achieved by adding 100 mg/l hydrogen peroxide to US/TiO2 process at pH 4 in which 94.3% removal was achieved after 60 minute. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the sonocatalytic process using TiO2 nanoparticles and along with adding H2O2 as an oxidant is very effective and can be used for removal of tetracycline antibiotics from aqueous solutions.
H Kamani, M Hoseini, G.h Safari, A.h Mahvi, H Zarei,
Volume 8, Issue 4 (3-2016)
Abstract
Backgrounds and Objectives: Quantity of trace metals in the wet precipitation can illustrate the environmental pollution of different urban areas. Up to now, there is no study regarding the chemistry of wet precipitation in Tehran .The objectives of this study are: measurement of heavy metal concentrations and identification of the main factors affecting the heavy metal concentrations in wet precipitation using factor analysis method.
Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which measurements of heavy metals were performed in 53 wet precipitation samples collected from a central site of Tehran City, capital of Iran. The samples were collected during November to May in 2010, 2011 and 2012 on the roof of the student’s dormitory building of Tehran University of Medical Sciences and then the concentration of heavy metals in each sample was measured with ICP-MS.
Results: pH ranged from 4.2 to 7.1 with a mean value of 5.1 indicating in acidic range. Result of EF calculations revealed that samples were not enriched with Fe and Cr but were enriched with Zn, Cd, Ni, Pb and Cu. Factor Component Analysis with Varimax normalized rotation showed Al, Fe and Cr are originated from crustal source and Zn, Cd, Ni, Pb and Cu are originated from anthropogenic sources.
Conclusion: EF and acidic pH values indicate Tehran is under the influence of extremely anthropogenic activities. Large number of vehicles and industrial activity in the city are undoubtedly responsible for the emission of a wide range of pollution.
K Naddafi, M Yunesian, S Faridi, A Rafiee, S Parmy, Gh Safari, R Nabizadeh Nodehi , K Yaghmaeian, N Rastkari, R Ahmadkhaniha, S Niazi, M Hoseini,
Volume 10, Issue 1 (6-2017)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of organic pollutants that are mostly generated during the incomplete combustion. The main objective of this study was to characterize potential sources of PAHs in Tehran.
Materials and Methods:, Samples of PM10 were collected at 10 monitoring stations belonging to Tehran Air Quality Control Company (AQCC) and transferred to laboratory for analysis. Besides, a SKC Flite 2 Air Sampling Pump (SKC, USA) equipped with a sampling head and PM10 size-selective inlet was used at four stations to compare the results obtained by collecting AQCC monitors (AQCCMs) tapes with the standard sampling procedures for assessing the interchangeability of two field sampling methods. The principal component analysis (PCA) and diagnostic ratios were applied to identify emission sources and source contribution.
Results: The average diagnostic ratios of phenanthrene (Phe)/ (Phe+anthracene (Ant)), benzo(a)anthracene (BaA)/ (BaA+chrysene (Chry)), fluorantene(Flu)/ (Flu+pyrene (Py)), and indeno(1,2,3cd) pyrene (IcP)/(IcP+benzo(ghi)perylene (BghiP)) in samples were 0.79, 0.52, 0.43 and 0.38, respectively. These ratios showed that the combustion, especially fossil fuels and motor vehicles, was the main sources of PAHs emission in Tehran. The results of PCA analysis also indicated that 49, 29 and 22% of PAHs sources in Tehran atmosphere were attributed to gasoline-driven vehicles, diesel vehicles and other sources, respectively.
Conclusion: According to the results, the combustion, especially fossil fuel and motor vehicle, was the main sources of PAHs emission in Tehran.
Gr Jahed Khaniki, P Safaei, R Barik Gugjlu, A Mohajer,
Volume 10, Issue 4 (3-2018)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Hydrogen peroxide is one of the compounds that is primarily produced by the oxidation of oil and fat and causes various diseases, including atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease .The aim of this study was to survey the peroxide value of edible oils used in sandwich and falafel shops in Tehran in 2016.
Materials and Methods: In this study, sampling from a number of fast food centers was done randomly. After the transfer of samples to the chemistry laboratory of environmental health engineering department, the peroxide number was determined based on the national standard procedure 4179. The data was analyzed by SPSS software for descriptive statistical parameters and t-test.
Results: According to the National Iranian Standards, from total of 50 samples of the sandwiches taken, 20 samples (40 %) were consumable and 30 samples (60 %) were inedible. Also, from 40 samples of falafel taken, 14 samples (35 %) were consumable and 26 samples (65 %) were inedible. The maximum peroxide values of sandwiches and falafel were 29.79 and 31.22 meq/kg, respectively.
Conclusion: The findings show that Peroxide value in the sandwich and falafel shops were higher than the standard, and thus it seems that having an educational plan for staff regarding the correct methods of frying food is necessary.
Mohammad Rezvani Ghalhari, Faezeh Asgari Tarazooj, Mohammad Bagher Miranzadeh, Gholamreza Mostafai, Safa Kalteh,
Volume 13, Issue 3 (11-2020)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Vegetables are an essential part of our diet and a major dietary exposure route to heavy metals. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the concentration and potential health hazards of heavy metals in the vegetables sold in Kashan markets.
Materials and Methods: 4 types of widelyraw-consumed vegetables, including parsley, coriander, basil, and fresh chives, were investigated in this study. Questionnaires were randomly given to individuals to determine vegetable consumption rate. Heavy metal were quantified using inductively coupled plasma- optical emission spectroscopy. Monte-Carlo Simulation was utilized to identify the associated health risks.
Results: Among tested heavy metals, Pb showed the highest concentration in parsley (4.8 ± 0.98 µg/g), coriander (3.8 ± 1.3 µg/g) and basil (3 ± 0.94 µg/g). Cr levels in fresh chives (2.8 ± 1.6 µg/g) was higher than other heavy metals. Also, the highest total hazard quotient values among examined heavy metals (Taking into account 95% confidence interval) were found for Pb (0.7), Cr (0.39), and Pb (1.034) in coriander, basil, and fresh chives, respectively.
Conclusion: Cr and Pb concentrations were generally beyond WHO/FAO guidelines in the samples. The THQ value for Pb in parsley was greater than 1, suggesting elevated adverse health effects due to parsley consumption.
Fatemeh Momeniha, Mohammad Kouhkan, Hoda Safamanesh, Parviz Yarahmadzahi, Mohammad Osman Khodayari, Ali Mohammadi, Amir Hossein Mahvi,
Volume 16, Issue 2 (9-2023)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Due to the importance of managing medical sharps waste and the potential harm caused by these types of waste, the use of safe technologies that simultaneously encapsulate and reduce their volume is considered one of the essential needs for managing medical waste in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. The main objective of this study was to investigate the efficiency of disinfecting and encapsulating device for medical sharps waste.
Materials and Methods: This device provides the process of containment and encapsulation of medical sharps waste by creating a stable protective foam without oxidation through inductive heat in a closed environment, preventing the dispersion and release of these wastes. Gas samples from the device's output were collected using the NIOSH 1501 method and analyzed using GC-MS. The performance efficiency of the device was evaluated based on the biological monitoring of the indicator bacterium Bacillus stearothermophilus.
Results: The results showed that the average concentration of BTEX gases (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes) and other volatile organic compounds in the device's output was within the permissible limit. The concentrations of Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene and Xylene gases were 0.04, 0.033, 0.029, and 0.029 ppm, respectively. The results of biological monitoring showed that the reduction of the microbial load was 9999.99 (Log 6) and the decontamination process was acceptable.
Additionally, this device has the advantage of reducing the volume of sharp and plastic objects during the encapsulation process, which can be further used in plastic pyrolysis/recycling industries.
Conclusion: It is hoped that by using this innovative and domestic device in the decontamination units of hospitals across the country, we can take an effective step towards improving medical waste management, reducing waste production, reducing hospital costs, and preserving and enhancing the country's health.
Bohlul Parsafar, Mohammad Ahmadi, Gholamreza Jahed Khaniki, , Abbass Rahimi Foroushani,
Volume 16, Issue 4 (3-2024)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Compliance with the principles of food safety and hygiene is very important in the entire chain of production, storage, transportation and supply of food to ensure the safety and suitability of food to ensure the health of consumers. Therefore, a study was conducted to determine the status of indicators and prerequisite programs for health and food safety in the fruit and vegetable fields of Tehran in 2022.
Materials and Methods: A descriptive-analytical study on 67 fruit and vegetable centers in Tehran city regarding the status of indicators and prerequisite programs for food safety and hygiene, such as the condition of buildings and facilities, employee training, employee health, food quality control, control of environmental pests, waste disposal and work environment hygiene were done. First, a questionnaire was prepared and its validity was confirmed by the opinion of five experts, as well as its reliability tool with Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.87, then the questionnaire was completed and the necessary data was recorded. The data were statistically analyzed using SPSS software.
Results: The results showed that the favorable condition of buildings and facilities, employee education, employee health, food quality control, environmental pest control, waste disposal and workplace hygiene were 67.16%, 26.85%, 50.20%,67.91%, 43.65%, 58.39% and 63.11%, respectively. So the indicators of building and facilities, food quality control, food consumption and work environment with an average of more than a percentage are acceptable. However, the indicators of care education and combating environmental chastity have been evaluated as unfavorable
Conclusion: Knowing the status of indicators and prerequisite programs for food safety and hygiene in the fruit and vegetable fields of Tehran city can help to improve food safety and health. Also, the desirability of indicators of buildings and facilities, food quality control, waste disposal and workplace hygiene affect the supply and distribution of healthy food. It is also recommended to pay more attention to raising the level of education in the care and methods of environmental pest control in fruit and vegetable fields.
